Connecting rod



F; A. DREHER.

CONNECTING ROD. 7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 19, 1921.

1,4Q3fi88. Patented July 25, 1922..

WITNESSES INVENTOR Fra n/(A. Dreba;

v I Arm/Mrs T @FHQE.

FRANK ALVIN DREHER, OF DOVER, OHIO.

oonnncrine non.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1922.

Application filed- September 19, 1921. Serial No. 501,627.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F RANK A. DREHER, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Dover, in the county'of Tuscarawas and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Connecting Rods, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to connecting rods especially adapted for use onlocomotives, stationary engines, steam shovels, traction engines, hoistsand the like.

An important object of this invention is to provide a connecting rod forsteam en' gines having novel means whereby the bearing may be readilyand conveniently re moved or applied.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the. following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this-application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like I parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved connecting rod.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the same, parts being shown insection.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective of a pin embodied in the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective of a locking spring forming a part of thisinvention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral generally designatesa connecting rod which may be used in connection with the fly wheel 6 ofa steam engine of any desired type. The fly wheel 6 is provided with acrank 7 to which the head of the connecting rod is connected.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application resides inthe head of the connecting rod and the head is sub stantially ofUg-shaped formation and is provided with an opening for the reception ofthe crank pin and the bearing as usual. The head of the connecting rodis provided with an opening 8 extended out through one side of the sameand adapted to be closed by means of a metallic strap 9. The endportions of the metallic strap 9 are ex tended inwardly to define lugs10 which are received within rabbets 11 in the end walls 12 of the head.The end walls 12 are also provided with extensions 14 which form theinner walls of the rabbets 11,

and which are engaged by the inner sides of the inwardly directed lugs10. The extensions 14 of which there are two, are provided withoutwardly directed guide mem bers 16 which are received within openings17 in the end portions of the strap. It will be seen that the guide pins16 not only serve as a means for guiding the strap 9 to its seatedposition but also as a means for holding the strap against lateralmovement.

The trap 9 is held in the position illustrated in Figure 2 by means ofpairs of pins 18 passed through registering openings in the lugs 10 and14. The pins 18 are provided with laterally directed portions 20 whichform a means whereby the same may be manually gripped and rotated forwithdrawing the pins when desired.

lVith reference to Figure 3 in particular, it will be noted that lockingsprings 21 are pivotally connected to the ends of the strap by means ofpivot members 22 and have their free end portions partially receivedwithin transversely extending grooves 24 in the rear portions of thepins 18. The intermediate portions of the locking springs 21 are engagedby stop pins 25 and are moved beyond the openings which receive the pins18 to permit of the insertion of the pins. When the pins 18 are insertedinto the registering openings in the lugs 10 and 14 the terminalportions of the springs 21 are received in transverse grooves 24 withoutthe withdrawal of the stop pins.

With reference to the foregoing description taken in'connection with theaccompanying drawing it will be apparent that a connecting rodconstructed in accordance with this invention may be readily applied toor disconnected from the crank of the engine since the strap 9 may bereadily removed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A connectingrod comprising a head having, an opening and end walls at the ends ofthe opening, a retaining strap extending over said opening and havingits end portions provided with lugs engaging the end walls of saidopening, said lugs and the end walls of said opening being provided withaligned openings, locking pins extending through said aligned openingsand having notches, and springs connected to said strap and engaged insaid notches whereby to prevent the accidental withdrawal of said pins.

2, A connecting rod comprising a head having an opening and end walls atthe ends of the opening, a retaining strap extending over said openingand having its end portions provided with lugs engaging the end wallsoil said opening, said lugs and the end walls of said opening beingprovided with aligned openings, locking pins extending through saidaligned openings and having notches, and guide mombers carried by saidend walls and received in said strap whereby to hold. the strap againstlateral and longitudinal movement.

3. A connecting rod having a head provided with an openin and end wallsat the ends of the opening, a strap having inwardly directed lugsengaging said end walls, pins extending through said lugs and throughsaid end walls to connect said strap, springs carried by said strap andengaging said pins to prevent the Withdrawal of the same, and stop pinsengaged by said springs.

4. A connecting rod having a head provided with an opening and end wallsat the ends of the opening, a strap having inwardly directed lugsengaging said end 1 ,easyse extensions being engaged with the inner sideof said strap and the inner sides of said lugs, guide members carried bysaid extensions, said strap being provided with open ings receiving saidguide members, the guide members constituting a means for holding thestrap against lateral movement, retaining pins passed through said lugsand said extensions and provided with transverse gl'OOVGS, springsconnected to said strap and partially received in said grooves wherebyto hold said retaining pins against withdrawal, and stop pins engaged bythe inter mediate portion of said sorings, said re taining pins beingprovide with heads.

FRANK ALVIN DREHER.

